The Industry’s Biggest Night in Digital Honors the Brands, Agencies, Creators, and Organizations Defining the Community-First Era
NEW YORK, May 19, 2026, The Shorty Awards, the leading international awards program honoring excellence in digital and social media, tonight announced the winners of its 18th annual season at a live ceremony in New York City.
Centered around this year’s theme, “Claim Your Era,” the 18th Annual Shorty Awards recognized a year where podcasts, episodic storytelling, and community-driven experiences emerged as the industry’s new center of gravity.
Among this year’s winners were The Walt Disney Company, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Spotify, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Chipotle, Crocs, White Claw, and Ritz-Carlton, alongside agencies including Edelman, Code and Theory, Movers+Shakers, and 72andSunny. View the full list of winners here.
“This year’s winners didn’t just chase views and clicks; they used digital as a bridge to genuine human connection,” said Junmian Sun, Managing Director of the Shorty Awards. “We’ve entered a new era where digital is no longer about rented platforms, but owned ecosystems. The most successful work we are celebrating today succeeded because it built spaces where audiences feel noticed and understood, rather than just targeted.”
Finalists and winners are selected by the Real Time Academy, a judging body comprised of industry leaders from top brands and organizations like Walt Disney Company, NFL, Digitas, Meta, Amazon, Google, Apple, Netflix, Female Quotient, Bobbie, and more.
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ABOUT THE SHORTY AWARDS
The Shorty Awards (also known as “The Shortys”) honors the most innovative work in digital and social media by brands, agencies and organizations.
Founded in 2008, the Shortys’ notable previous winners include Malala Yousafzai, Trevor Noah, Michelle Obama, Conan O’Brien, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, and brands such as MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount, Digitas, HBO, Meta, Airbnb, Honda, UNICEF and PepsiCo.
The Shortys’ mission is to celebrate, inspire and push the boundaries of excellence in digital storytelling. Entries are judged on the merits of creativity, strategy, and engagement by the Real Time Academy, a body of hand-selected industry experts and leaders. The public can also weigh in and select their favorite Shorty Awards contenders during Audience Honor Voting.
Currently, the Shortys have two annual competitions, the flagship Shorty Awards and Shorty Impact Awards dedicated to honoring the best work with a positive social impact.
